THERE’S a new face leading a highly successful community garden project.

David Apperley has taken over as chairman of the Brandon Village Community Garden from Tom Sharples, who stepped down after four years in charge.

In that time, a team of volunteers has transformed a derelict allotment and fly tipping hotspot into a pleasant garden, including with a £15,000 grant from the County Durham Environmental Trust.

The garden has won numerous awards including, earlier this month, the best group horticultural project and overall prize at the annual Beautiful Durham awards.

Mr Sharples said: “The garden is testament to four years of hard work by the committee.

“I’ve been really proud of the group and I’m very proud of the garden.

“It’s healthy to step back and let somebody else take over.

“David’s a great guy. I couldn’t be handing over to a safer pair of hands.”